What Food Delivery Platform for Restaurants Should I Use?
Choosing the right food delivery platform for restaurants can have a major impact on your bottom line. With options available, including Uber Eats, DoorDash, MenuLog and custom-built delivery websites using Shopify or WooCommerce. Gold Coast restaurant owners must consider factors such as visibility, fees, control, and long-term growth.
In this guide, we’ll compare the top options and share how Spice Temple used Shopify to build their in-house solution during the pandemic to reduce costs, get ahead of the competition and provide an in-home dining experience.
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Why Choosing the Right Delivery Platform Matters
Food delivery is no longer optional, it’s a core part of modern hospitality. Many customers expect it and new customers use these platforms to discover new food options in different areas and regions when travelling.
But relying on third-party platforms can erode profits, weaken brand control, and limit customer relationships.
For example, in Australia, Uber Eats charges merchants up to a 30% commission fee on the value of an order. For a meal valued at $50, the fee would be $15, leaving you with $35 to cover costs and profit. That doesn’t include GST. For a small restaurant owner, that will destroy profit margins and make it untenable to operate.
Whether you’re a small café or a high-end restaurant group, the platform you choose influences:
- Commission and profit margins
- Customer data ownership
- Marketing and loyalty programs
- Operational control over deliveries
Overview of the Major Food Delivery Apps
Here are the most widely used food delivery services in Australia:
These services offer instant visibility and customer reach, but come with trade-offs. Let’s break them down.
Pros and Cons of Third-Party Delivery Platforms
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Uber Eats | Large user base, integrated logistics | High fees (25-35%), no customer data |
| Menulog | Flexible pricing, long-time presence | Lower brand control, basic reporting |
| DoorDash | Fast-growing, support for small venues | Fee structures vary, less brand loyalty |
| WooCommerce or Shopify | Full control and no additional costs once built | Maintenance required and may need developer help for setup. |
The Real Costs of Using Delivery Apps
Delivery services often charge commission fees between 25% and 35% per order. Consider this example:
- Meal price: $30
- Platform fee (30%): $9
- You receive: $21
Over time, these cuts can erode margins and make it difficult to stay competitive unless you significantly raise prices or find another way.
Building Your Own Delivery System with Shopify or WooCommerce
Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce give you full control over your online ordering and delivery process. Benefits include:
- No ongoing commissions
- Full access to customer data and order history
- Customisable promotions and upsells
- Integrate with your own staff for delivery
The trade-off is a higher upfront cost for development and the need to manage fulfilment and support.
Case Study: Spice Temple’s Custom Shopify Solution
During the height of the pandemic, Spice Temple needed a way to keep their team—including delivery drivers—employed. Rather than turn to a third-party app, they launched a custom-built Shopify store with:
- Local delivery within metro Sydney
- Custom checkout with time-slot selection
- Controlled pricing and brand presentation
- Customer reorders and loyalty data
This approach let them stay profitable, preserve brand identity, and support their team in a crisis.
What Platform Is Best for Your Restaurant?
- Small cafés or fast casual: Third-party platforms offer visibility without tech overhead.
- Established or high-end venues: A custom platform provides long-term brand and revenue control.
- Venues with delivery staff: WooCommerce or Shopify with your own team = no commissions, more profit.
Key Considerations Before You Decide
- What’s your average order value?
- Do you already have staff who can deliver?
- Can you market your ordering site effectively?
- Do you want to build a customer database?
FAQs About Food Delivery Platform for Restaurants
What’s the main drawback of using Uber Eats or DoorDash?
The biggest downside is the high commission fees—often between 25% and 35%—which significantly reduce your profit per order. You also don’t own the customer relationship or data, which limits your ability to build loyalty or retarget diners.
Can I build a delivery system on my current WordPress website?
Yes. With WooCommerce and additional plugins for local delivery and time-slot booking, you can turn your existing WordPress site into a full-featured ordering platform. For advanced help, check out our WooCommerce development services.
Is building a custom ordering system more expensive?
There’s a higher upfront cost, but many restaurants save money long-term by avoiding third-party fees. You gain control over pricing, branding, and repeat customer marketing. Our team on the Gold Coast helps restaurants set up affordable, scalable systems.
What’s an example of a successful custom delivery setup?
Spice Temple created their own Shopify ordering site during COVID to keep staff employed and maintain control of their brand. It enabled local delivery, customer loyalty, and lower operational costs.
Need Help Creating Your Own Delivery Platform?
If you want more control over your margins and marketing, building your own Shopify or WooCommerce delivery site might be the best move. Get in touch with our Gold Coast team to start planning your restaurant’s delivery transformation.
Related resources:
- WooCommerce vs Shopify: What’s Better for Restaurants?
- Shopify Design & Development Services
- WooCommerce Development for Restaurants
The Queensland Government also provides valuable resources to help you choose and consider the best delivery and takeaway platforms for your business.
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